by Rev. Paula Richards

A Course in Miracles defines a miracle as a shift in how we view things, but it has nothing to do with our eyes. It is a shift from visual sight to the inner vision of Christ consciousness. “The opposite of seeing through the body’s eyes is the vision of Christ, which reflects strength rather than weakness, unity rather than separation, and love rather than fear.”

I invite you to join me in the miracle of peace, joy and love that is our natural state and our guaranteed inheritance from God.

Our first meeting is called THE WONDERS OF GRATITUDE. I invite you to join me (us) on a gentle walk through Thanksgiving Forest in Chelmsford, MA, followed by a meditation circle and discussion on the wonders of gratitude. Members are encouraged to bring a lawn chair to use during the discussion. Parking is available adjacent to the main entrance to Thanksgiving Forest on Janet RD. It includes a grassy area with a picnic table where we will gather.

It is with profound gratitude for Dr. Wayne Dyer that I dedicate this blog to his memory. He became my first spiritual mentor over thirty years ago when I read his book, Your Erroneous Zones. The entire trajectory of my life shifted because of his words back then, and he has helped keep me headed in the right direction ever since!

One of my favorite stories of his was when he told his mother that his teacher had called him a “scurvy elephant”. When she went to the school to investigate, she was told that what the teacher had actually said (that Wayne overheard) was that he was a “disturbing element”! Even as a young child, he had begun questioning things and found the courage to speak the truth. One of the greatest things he taught me was to always be true to myself – and, more importantly, to know my true self. Now I give presentations titled, Will the Real You Please Stand Up!

Thank you, Dr. Wayne for helping me remember the truth about who I am and for helping me find the courage to be a “scurvy elephant” too. I love you and trust that your teaching will continue to touch us all from the Spirit world. After all, that’s always been your true home.

Paula Richards, founder of Spirit Rising Ministries, and author of The Journey of Spirit Rising, A commoner’s journey to uncommon joy, is dedicated to helping others remember the joyful, divine truth about themselves. Her greatest fulfillment is empowering people with tools and insights that can help them on their own journey to joy. Learn more about Paula at www.SpiritRisingMinistries.com

I haven’t written for a while. I could use busyness as an excuse, but the truth is I didn’t feel inspired. I want to make sure that I am only passing on thoughts that come through me from Spirit – not “Paula’s” idle musings! That being said, I was recently moved by a video I saw on service animals. This young boy, Matt, is epileptic, and he now has a service dog. Merlin can sense an oncoming seizure long before it occurs, giving Matt’s family time to medicate/protect him.

It was what Matt’s mother said that really got my attention: “When Merlin looks up into Matt’s face, he doesn’t see a kid with epilepsy. He sees the most perfect creation God ever made. If you see that sort of adoration reflected back at you day after day, it changes the way you feel about yourself.” Wow! Isn’t that exactly what A Course in Miracles has been trying to teach me to do for all these years? To look right past what my senses are showing me, and see God’s perfection in everyone and everything?!

We just never know how Spirit is going to reach us with His message of love. We need to pay attention, because love is all around us. And love is God’s perfect creation.

I have been invited to be the very first guest speaker for a wonderful new organization, The Intuitive Body and Soul. For me, this speech is about finally stepping into the truth of who I am, why I am here, and what I am meant to be doing in my life. For you, this speech is about helping you do the same. It would be delightful if you are able to join me as we remember the beautiful, divine truth about ourselves.

See below for details.

Namaste’,

Paula

PS I have been very busy these past few weeks, but will get back to blogging soon!

Will the Real You Please Stand Up!The joy of being your true self.

Do you sometimes feel lost? Do you ever question who you are? Why you’re here? What you’re supposed to do?

The answers are closer than you think! Come learn five steps to awakening to your true self and re-claim the joy that is your true inheritance.

Sunday, August 15, 2015 at 12:00 PM

Buttonwoods Museum 240 Water Street Haverhill, MA

Join us for this lively, interactive talk that is sure to leave you eager to embrace your true self and share your light with the world.

Paula Richards, founder of Spirit Rising Ministries, and author of The Journey of Spirit Rising, A commoner’s journey to uncommon joy, is dedicated to helping others remember the joyful, divine truth about themselves. Her greatest fulfillment is empowering people with tools and insights that can help them on their own journey to joy. Learn more about Paula at www.SpiritRisingMinistries.com

I have heard reference to the three P’s of passion, power and purpose, but there are another three P’s that I would like to discuss today; ones that don’t propel us forward but, instead, hold us back. Although I can’t find the exact line in A Course in Miracles right now, I remember it speaking about living from the perspective of our True Self; not feeling that we need to promote, protect or prove anything about ourselves. I realized that these are all behaviors of the ego. It is always trying to be noticed, be safe, or be right.

In an emergency situation, all these egoic behaviors fall away. We don’t stop to think how will I look, will I be harmed, or what’s in it for me. Our heart leads the way as we dive in and selflessly do whatever the situation calls for. What I’m learning is that our True Self is heart-centered. It doesn’t have to think about what to do. It knows that love is the answer to every situation. Maybe the next time I am about to judge someone, I would do well to think of it as an emergency situation – that they are crying out – crying out to be saved by love. Maybe then I will put the three P’s aside long enough to realize my True Self.

I got a parking ticket yesterday, and for a very foolish reason. I paid for the 1 ¼ hours I’d be gone, for space 357, and merrily went on my way. I returned in one hour to discover that I had a ticket. How did that happen?! Reviewing my steps, I remembered that I was busy practicing an upcoming speech in my head while I was paying for my parking space. I was distracted. I forgot to press the button that would complete the payment process.

Since I was already downtown, I went straight to the Town Hall and reluctantly paid the fifteen dollar fee. On the drive home I kept thinking about how I, literally, had to pay the price for not having been fully present earlier when I parked my car. Then I noticed that, all the way home, I kept thinking about being needlessly out that fifteen dollars. But, then came the deeper realization. Every moment I chose to spend thinking about the ticket meant that I was mentally “paying the price” once again.

Well! I thought. Paying once was quite enough! So, other than for the purpose of writing this blog, I completely let the story go. I am doing my best to stay present because, when I don’t, I always pay the price.